In Game 1 of their first-round Stanley Cup playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens, their hero was captain Alex Ovechkin in overtime. In Game 2, it was goaltender Logan Thompson in the third period. In Game 4, the big moments were a series-altering hit by Tom Wilson and a late game-winner from Andrew Mangiapane.

The Capitals beat the Canadiens in Game 5 of their first-round series Wednesday night to advance in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Washington Capitals had waited a long time for this. Still, the Capitals’ celebration following their series-clinching 4-1 win against the Montreal Canadiens in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference First Round at Capital One Arena on Wednesday was subdued and fitting of a team with bigger expectations in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.